When you think about car accident injuries, you probably think about getting whiplash or developing a bruise from your seatbelt. However, there are a long list of additional injuries you can experience. One injury that doesn’t get much attention but is common, especially among front seat passengers, is dashboard knee. 

This injury can lead to major discomfort when walking, and when coupled with other car accident injuries, can leave you feeling worse than you anticipate. Thankfully, with the support of a reliable chiropractic team, you can quickly address any joint and leg pain you may be experiencing and restore your comfort during the day.

In this blog, we’ll explore what dashboard knee is, common symptoms of this injury after an accident, and how a chiropractor can help. 

What Is Dashboard Knee and Why Does It Happen?

Dashboard knee is an injury that occurs when the occupant of a vehicle hits their knees on the dashboard during a frontal collision. This may occur after rear ending a vehicle in front of you or following a head-on collision. The impact with your dashboard drives your shinbone backward, potentially straining or tearing the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) or fracturing the kneecap. 

The PCL is a thick, strong ligament that prevents your shinbone from sliding too far back in relation to your thigh bone. During a front-end crash, the impact can cause the knee to flex and strike the dashboard, resulting in the partial tear or rupture of the PCL. Because of the intense force, this injury often includes other traumas, including:

• Patellar Fractures
• Meniscus Tears
• Other Ligament Damage (ACL, MCL, or LCL)

While dashboard knee will require immediate attention from your orthopedic specialist, you will also need appropriate rehabilitation following their treatment. 

Common Symptoms of Knee, Hip, and Leg Injuries After a Car Accident

There are a variety of symptoms you may experience that point to a potential knee, hip, or leg injury. The most common symptoms immediately following your accident will include localized pain, swelling, bruising, and stiffness. In some cases, you may experience some more significant and concerning symptoms, including:

• Numbness and tingling
• Instability when walking
• Difficulty bearing weight
• A popping or clicking sensation

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or you cannot manage pain, even with proper rest, icing, and elevation, it is essential that you reach out to your medical team for immediate support. They can identify any major problems, including potential dashboard knee, and help you create an appropriate treatment plan. 

How a Chiropractor Can Help Treat Joint Pain After a Vehicle Crash

While it is important to seek immediate attention from an orthopedic surgeon when dealing with dashboard knee, you will still need to go through appropriate rehabilitative care. While recovering from potential post-accident surgeries, you may want to reach out to a chiropractor about crafting an appropriate treatment plan. 

It isn’t uncommon to experience some joint pain following an injury like this. That’s where your chiropractor can begin helping you find relief. If you’re experiencing joint pain, your chiropractor may recommend a variety of treatment options, including: 

• Manual Adjustments: They will gently ease joints back into their proper place, reducing pressure on the surrounding nerves. 
• Chiropractic Massage: This chiropractic technique will increase blood flow to feed nutrients to recently damaged tissue. 
• Trigger Point Therapy: This can help to reduce inflammation and prevent scar tissue from forming in injured areas. 
• Rehabilitative Exercise: They’ll provide you with a list of exercises and stretches to perform at home to support your care. 

Why Early Evaluation Matters After a Front-End Collision

While chiropractic care following a car accident, especially a front-end collision, is important, it is even more crucial to seek prompt care. It is essential to prioritize any emergency care, but treatment for minor aches and pain can also make a major difference in your day-to-day life. As soon as emergency care is done, it’s time to reach out to your chiropractor.

In the immediate aftermath of an accident, you may not experience any discomfort. However, it isn’t uncommon to begin developing more significant pains in the days and weeks after an accident. This occurs as a result of adrenaline wearing off, revealing injuries you may not have noticed at first.

When you schedule a chiropractic appointment immediately after an accident, they can perform a comprehensive physical exam. During this exam, they can identify injuries that you may not have noticed immediately or that may inevitably lead to chronic pain. With this exam, you can begin treating these injuries immediately, preventing long-term discomfort.

Restoring Mobility and Comfort After a Dashboard Knee Injury

Following your immediate medical treatment for dashboard knee, you may notice changes in your mobility and potentially lingering discomfort when walking. There are a few things you should do to support the recovery of mobility and eliminate your pain. The first step is to allow yourself plenty of adequate rest. 

Elevate your injured leg and use an ice pack and compression wraps to reduce your risk of swelling. From there, it is best to reach out to your chiropractor for support. They can begin to craft your ideal treatment plan and provide you with appropriate exercises and stretches to aid in your recovery and alleviate pain. 

As you move through your treatment plan, it is important that you rebuild stability and strength. Make sure to perform strength training exercises and take walks every day to support the recovery of the impacted muscles and ligaments. With a little time and patience, you can trust that you’re taking adequate steps toward recovering from dashboard knee symptoms. 

Let Us Help You Recover From Dashboard Knee

Dealing with any injuries following a car accident can be incredibly uncomfortable, but with professional support, you can trust that you’re on the road to recovery. At Muscle & Joint Chiropractic, our team understands just how important it is to seek prompt, comprehensive care. Whether you’re dealing with dashboard knee, a concussion, whiplash, or chronic back pain, our team has the training and tools to help you find lasting relief. 

If you would like to work with a team who can help you restore pain-free walking following dashboard knee, don’t hesitate to contact us today. 

When you think about seeking chiropractic care after an accident, you’re probably thinking about more significant accidents. You likely are imagining major rear-endings, T-bone collisions, and rollovers. While these people do benefit from chiropractic care, they aren’t the only people who can experience relief from this care.

In fact, even individuals who are in minor fender-benders may benefit from scheduling an appointment with their trusted chiropractor. Although you may initially walk away from a minor accident thinking that you got away without an injury, there may be some problems lurking beneath the surface waiting to emerge.

In this blog, we’ll explore why everyone, including individuals who are in minor fender-benders, should seek chiropractic care in the aftermath. 

Can You Really Be Injured in a Minor Fender-Bender?

Although you may consider minor fender-benders to be an injury-free event, this isn’t always the case. Even if you initially walk away from the accident feeling fine, it isn’t uncommon to experience injury symptoms in the hours or days following a smaller accident. Even if you are in a minor accident, the unexpected jolt is enough to put sudden force on your body. 

Whether you’re rear-ended, side-swiped, or in a single-car accident, any unexpected or unplanned movement can cause your body to move in a violent, sharp way that puts excessive strain on your muscles and tendons. While seat belts and other safety devices will limit movement in these moments, even small, sharp movements can cause personal injuries. 

Why Do Symptoms Often Appear Hours or Days After a Small Accident?

In the immediate aftermath of an accident, no matter how small it may be, you’ll experience a sudden spike in adrenaline. As a result of this adrenaline rush, you’ll experience a rush of endorphins and epinephrine, which can mask any initial injury symptoms. As the adrenaline and endorphins fade, the symptoms of your minor fender-bender injury may begin to emerge, leaving you feeling a little worn down.

While it can be frustrating to experience these delayed injury symptoms, it is important to remember that this is your body’s natural response to these kinds of situations. Your body will immediately respond to an accident with this fight-or-flight response, acting as a natural painkiller to allow you to respond to the immediate problem. 

However, as the adrenaline and endorphins fade, you may begin to notice increased stiffness and inflammation in your soft tissue, especially in your neck, shoulders, and back. In some cases, you may also notice increased dizziness, lightheadedness, and headaches, which can be a sign of a concussion or other brain injury. 

What Types of Injuries Are Common in Low-Speed Collisions?

It isn’t uncommon to experience some injuries more frequently following a minor fender-bender, including soft tissue strains, concussions, and whiplash. Much like with other car accident injuries, minor fender-benders can rapidly, unexpectedly strain your body. Some of the most common injuries that you may experience following a minor fender-bender include: 

• Whiplash: The most common car accident injury, even following smaller accidents, is whiplash, which occurs when the head jerks rapidly back and forth, straining the muscles and ligaments in your neck. 
• Concussion: In addition to injuring your neck as a result of the unexpected movement, individuals who are involved in a minor fender-bender may experience a concussion as a result of their brain rattling in their skull. 
• Seat Belt Syndrome: As your car suddenly decelerates and your body jerks into a locked seat belt, you may experience bruising and injuries to your chest and hips near the sight of the belt. 
• Soft Tissue Injury: In addition to experiencing muscle and ligament strain in your neck and around your seat belt, you may also experience soft tissue injuries in other parts of your body as they respond to the sudden movement. 
• Herniated Disc: Even during a minor fender-bender, the spinal discs between your vertebrae can suddenly compress, leaving you with pain, numbness, and increased sciatica symptoms. 

How Does Adrenaline Mask Pain After an Accident?

The role of adrenaline is to provide a sudden release of epinephrine and endorphins, which temporarily block pain receptors and raise your pain threshold. This allows for a fight-or-flight response, allowing your body to respond to the immediate threat in a situation. In the case of a minor fender-bender, you have an opportunity to address the aftermath of the accident.

Your body shuts down the pain pathways to the brain, instead focusing its attention on addressing the problem in front of you. Adrenaline will also heighten your alertness and quickness reaction. This initial hormone change can distract your brain from registering pain that you may have experienced as a result of your accident. 

This adrenaline rush typically lasts for a few hours following the accident. However, as your stress levels decrease, you will begin to experience increased muscle tightness, stiffness, and general discomfort in your ligaments and tendons. While it can be frustrating, this reaction is designed to keep you safe in situations of immediate danger.  

When Should You See a Chiropractor After a Minor Car Crash?

While some minor fender-bender injuries will go away on their own, you would still benefit from going to visit a chiropractor. It can be tempting to put off seeking medical care, especially if you don’t think you’re experiencing a major injury. However, this puts you at risk of developing much more significant, severe symptoms.

Even if you feel fine immediately following an accident, it is always in your best interest to reach out to a trusted chiropractor to schedule an appointment. They can perform a thorough physical examination following your accident, catching the smallest sign of problems before they begin presenting more significantly during your day-to-day life. 

With the support of a chiropractor following a minor fender-bender, you can begin a treatment plan to address these minor injuries immediately. They may also be able to provide you with lifestyle adjustments to make your recovery period easier. While it can seem premature, it is always in your best interest to reach out before problems begin occurring. 

Recover From a Minor Fender-Bender in Tooele, Utah

No matter what kind of car accident you were in, our team at Muscle & Joint Chiropractic is here to provide you with compassionate support. We understand firsthand how this discomfort can impact your day-to-day life which is why we are dedicated to crafting a custom recovery plan, unique to your pains and injuries. When you partner with our team for your car accident recovery, you can trust that you’re working with a reliable team who wants to relieve you of lasting pain. 

If you would like to schedule an appointment to treat a recent car accident injury, don’t hesitate to contact us today. 

If you were recently in a car accident, you’re probably experiencing heightened anxiety around the idea of paying for post-accident treatment. What may start as a quick trip to visit your primary care provider may quickly turn into frequent trips to see a chiropractor, massage therapist, or physical therapist, and these costs can quickly add up. 

Thankfully, with the help of Utah’s PIP coverage, seeking post-accident care is much more attainable for drivers. However, you may not know exactly what PIP coverage is and whether it is something you qualify for. Whether you need a few minor appointments or are experiencing a major injury, understanding this coverage can make a major difference in your recovery. 

In this blog, we’ll explore what PIP coverage is, how it can help you seek appropriate care, what the steps to take to begin seeking chiropractic care after your accident. 

What Utah Drivers Should Know About PIP Coverage After an Accident

Navigating insurance after a car accident can be confusing and stressful, but this becomes much worse when PIP coverage is mentioned. If you’ve never been in an accident before, you’ve likely never utilized this coverage. So, what is it? Utah follows a no-fault insurance system, requiring all drivers to carry personal injury protection (PIP) through their insurance. 

This coverage means that your insurance will pay for some things like medical coverage and lost wages without needing to wait for a final ruling on the accident. As long as you have appropriate vehicle insurance when you are in an accident, you can reach out to them about receiving appropriate care post-accident. 

This means that you won’t have to wait weeks or months before reaching out to your doctor, chiropractor, or physical therapist. Whether you’re experiencing a minor injury following your accident or you need substantial care from several providers, PIP coverage ensures your comfort and helps you protect yourself against chronic pain. 

How Personal Injury Protection Helps Cover Chiropractic Treatment Costs

If you were recently in an accident, you may need to visit your doctor or chiropractor for immediate care. Whether you’re dealing with whiplash, a concussion, or other car accident injuries, prompt care is essential for protecting you against lasting pain. However, you may be worried about the immediate cost of this care.

Thankfully, with PIP coverage, you don’t need to worry about paying out-of-pocket for immediate rehabilitative support. Your PIP coverage should cover a minimum of $3,000 in medical care. With this coverage, you can schedule chiropractic adjustments and more tailored post-accident care to begin recovering from any injuries you’ve received.

If your medical care costs more than your coverage allows, this may need to be handled through a liability claim or settlement negotiations if you are not at fault. However, regardless of who is at fault, you can trust that PIP coverage will provide you with the immediate financial support necessary to pay for your immediate chiropractic care. 

Seeking Chiropractic Care After a Crash With No Out-of-Pocket Expense

Seeking chiropractic care after a car accident is often more affordable than many Utah drivers realize. Under Utah’s PIP coverage, medical expenses related to accident injuries are typically covered up to your policy limits, regardless of who caused the collision. This means you may be able to begin treatment with little to no out-of-pocket expense.

Many accident victims delay care because they worry about medical bills. However, your personal injury protection benefits are designed to remove that financial barrier and help you receive prompt treatment for injuries such as whiplash, back pain, neck stiffness, headaches, and soft tissue damage. 

Early care can support recovery, reduce discomfort, and help prevent minor injuries from developing into long-term problems. By working with a chiropractor experienced in handling PIP claims, patients can focus on healing while the clinic assists with insurance documentation and billing. In many cases, treatment begins quickly after an accident without financial concerns.

What Accident-Related Injuries Can Be Treated Under PIP Benefits?

If you were injured during a car accident, you may wonder whether your PIP coverage will cover all of your injuries. This is designed to cover a variety of physical and psychological traumas to ensure you can receive immediate medical care. If you need any of the following, trust that your PIP coverage will take care of the cost:

• Emergency and diagnostic services, like ambulance transportation, emergency room visits, hospital stays, and diagnostic tests. 
• Soft tissue and joint injuries, including whiplash, sprains, strains, ligament tears, and back or neck pain. 
• Surgeries, dental care, optometric treatment, or the need for prosthetic devices as a result of the accident. 
• Chiropractic care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and acupuncture. 
• Prescription pain medication, medical equipment, and surgical supplies. 

Make sure to hold onto all financial documentation to ensure they are submitted to your insurance in a timely manner. With this documentation, you don’t need to worry about paying out-of-pocket for your care. 

Steps to Start Chiropractic Care After an Auto Accident

Starting chiropractic care after an accident is crucial, and you want to ensure that you’re doing so as quickly as possible. You’ll want to start by scheduling an initial evaluation and physical examination. While it can be tempting, do not wait for symptoms to worsen, and instead, schedule this care immediately following the accident. 

Bring all appropriate insurance documentation, police crash reports, and photographs to your initial appointment to ensure they fully understand your accident. If you had any diagnostic imaging done, like X-rays or MRIs, bring these records with you as well. You should also keep a written journal of your symptoms, including when and how often they occur. 

Finally, follow all of the recommended treatment suggestions. While it may seem excessive at first, following their advice will ensure you’re doing everything possible to protect yourself against chronic pain. Throughout, remember to keep your insurance informed about your care, and bring any adjustor contact information so these appointments can be billed appropriately. 

Let Our Team Help You Through Your Accident Recovery

If you were recently in an accident and you need chiropractic care, turn to our Muscle & Joint Chiropractic team for expert support. Not only can we help you find lasting relief from a variety of car accident injuries, but we can help you handle the medical billing paperwork to ensure you pay little to nothing out of pocket for this essential care. Don’t navigate your post-accident pain on your own when our Tooele and Grantsville chiropractic teams are ready to help.

If you would like to learn more about our treatment options or schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to contact us today.